Similar to when I did my list of Sundance favourites, I opted for online lists. There is simply no way I would know or remember if a movie has debuted at Cannes. Since there have been a lot of good ones, I picked three that all revolve around guys and crime.
1. THE USUAL SUSPECTS (1995)
Ever since last fall, I have become hesitant while picking movies that have to do anything with certain actors or directors, one of whom is also featured in The Usual Suspects. But since there are so many other great people behind movies, I see no harm in mentioning movies that were and remain good. Despite what certain a-holes have done, I refuse to let them steal away the movies we have liked or even loved. Long intro aside, The Usual Suspects is a suspenseful crime thriller, that keeps you guessing until the end. It premiered in Cannes in 1995, and went on to win an Oscar for its screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie.
2. KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005)
We are now going into Shane Black territory because I just realised, I picked two of his movies for this week’s list. But guess what, both movies are worthy to be mentioned! Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a hilarious crime comedy, where our main character accidentally ends up auditioning for a role after a burglary gone wrong. He is sent to LA and has to work together with a private investigator to give him some real experience. It’s a fun movie and Robrt Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer have great chemistry!
3. THE NICE GUYS (2016)
Well, 11 years after the success of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Shane Black made another buddy comedy. It’s as funny and great as we all wanted, and Ryan Gosling is brilliant in this! Paired up with Russell Crowe, the two private investigators make up an interesting combo, but a hilarious one! The movie takes place in the 70’s, there are some stand-out screams and it’s simply a fun experience from start to finish.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
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A theme within the theme! Always up for that.
I’ve seen all three of these and while the second two were pleasant enough I wasn’t a big fan of any of them. I was massively disappointed with The Usual Suspects. I love noir and that cast list sounded terrific, couldn’t wait to see it in the theatre but then I fell asleep during it! I tried again later but it’s a no go for me.
I was sure two of mine were Cannes films because I had read it somewhere before seeing them but I also had to resort to a list for my first to double check that it was.
Union Pacific (1939)-As the Union Pacific Railroad stretches westward across the wilderness toward California corrupt banker Asa Barrows (Henry Kolker) hopes to profit from obstructing it. Troubleshooter Jeff Butler (Joel McCrea) has his hands full fighting Barrows’ agent, gambler Sid Campeau (Brian Donlevy) and his partner Dick Allen (Robert Preston) who was Jeff’s war buddy and rival suitor for engineer’s daughter Molly Monahan (Barbara Stanwyck). Rivalries escalate until a fateful showdown set piece. Big rollicking Cecil B. DeMille directed adventure was the winner of the first Palme D’Or.
Rome Open City (1945)-In Nazi occupied Rome regulations have been somewhat relaxed so the inhabitants can move freely during daylight but danger still lurks everywhere as food is rationed, curfews enforced and resistance fighters rigorously hunted. This focuses on the search for one freedom fighter and the people working to help him. Directed by Roberto Rossellini with a fierce lead performance from Anna Magnani this was the leader in the birth of the neo-realism movement. It won the Grand Prize of the Cannes Film Festival in 1946.
Cranes Are Flying (1957)-In Moscow as the winds of World War II approach young lovers Veronika (Tatyana Samoylova) and Boris (Aleksey Batalov) watch the cranes fly overhead and promise to rendezvous before Boris leaves to fight. Boris misses the meeting and is off to the front lines, while Veronika waits patiently, sending letters faithfully. After her house is bombed, Veronika moves in with Boris’ family and seeming safety. But Boris’s cousin Mark has darker intentions and as the war rages sorrow spreads in all directions. Winner of the 1958 Cannes Grand Prize.
Woo all nice picks! I had no idea Shane Black did The Nice Guys, but it makes sense as both movies are grrrreat. 😉
Nice picks! Of course you know my favorite is The Nice Guys….and now I must go watch that again. lol
2 great films from Shane Black and one somewhat overrated film by some asshole.
I have yet to see Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but I will since I like the 2 actors. I was thrown with The Usual Suspects and it is a great movie. I used to love Kevin Spacey Nd am saddened to know he is a sexual predator but that is separate from his acting and his acting is great, The nice guys is hilarious and I thought both leads did a great job and do have great camaraderie.
The Usual Suspects is one of my all-time favourites!